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We went on a trip to Wales at the weekend, as there was a militaria market in Brecon. Brecon used to be the home of the 24th Regiment of Foot, later the South Wales Borderers and now the Royal Regiment of Wales.
Next to the depot is the Regimental museum, which is well worth a visit for anyone at all interested in such things.
The survivors and V.C. winners from the Battle of Rorke's Drift died and were buried in many places, including India, South Africa and the Indian Ocean. Several however lie not too far from Brecon and I made the effort to try to find them.
You may know that my youngest son is a fan of the film Zulu and likes to dress the part on every possible occasion. Nowhere has he attracted as much interest and comment as in Brecon though! He was let off the 50p child's entrance fee into the militaria fair by the doorman, who happened to be a collector of Martini-Henrys, owning no fewer than eleven. He later found an example and showed my son how the action worked, though he is fairly familiar with it from the film!
Also in the show fair was a stall manned by the 1879 group and they gave my son a glassfibre tropical helmet which had been worn by an extra in the film Zulu Dawn.
Monmouth Cemetery: The grave of William Allan V.C.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilson_Allen
The enormous, ancient and excellently preserved Norman church at Peterchurch, Herefordshire. Next to it is a completely hollow yew tree, of uncertain but extreme age.
The grave of Robert Jones, V.C. Peterchurch churchyard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jones_(VC)
Private 593, Robert Jones, was played by Denys Graham in the Film. Graham also played Private Frazer in the film "Dunkirk" and Flying Officer L.G. Knight, D.S.O. in the film "The Dambusters"
Inside Brecon Cathedral: The regimental chapel is in the North Transept, on the left between the two arches in front.
The amazing font with it's celtic carving, far older than the 12th century cathedral.
Brass plaque in the cathedral in memory of Major Gonville Bromhead, V.C. A mere lieutenant when he commanded B company, 2nd battalion, 24th regiment of foot in the defence of Rorke's Drift. He is buried in India.
Brass plaque in memory of Sergeant Henry Hook V.C. A private when he earned his medal defending the hospital and evacuating the sick from the burning building at Rorke's Drift.
Outside the Regimental Museum: The helmet is the film prop from the film starring Peter O'Toole, Burt Lancaster and John Mills.
The shield and assegai are genuine relics from Rorke's Drift, picked up the morning after the battle, held by the museum.
Some of the actual Victoria Crosses awarded for the defence of Rorke's Drift by Queen Victoria. Top centre is Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, 24th Foot, who is buried in India. (He was of course played by Michael Caine in the film.)
Next to the depot is the Regimental museum, which is well worth a visit for anyone at all interested in such things.
The survivors and V.C. winners from the Battle of Rorke's Drift died and were buried in many places, including India, South Africa and the Indian Ocean. Several however lie not too far from Brecon and I made the effort to try to find them.
You may know that my youngest son is a fan of the film Zulu and likes to dress the part on every possible occasion. Nowhere has he attracted as much interest and comment as in Brecon though! He was let off the 50p child's entrance fee into the militaria fair by the doorman, who happened to be a collector of Martini-Henrys, owning no fewer than eleven. He later found an example and showed my son how the action worked, though he is fairly familiar with it from the film!
Also in the show fair was a stall manned by the 1879 group and they gave my son a glassfibre tropical helmet which had been worn by an extra in the film Zulu Dawn.
Monmouth Cemetery: The grave of William Allan V.C.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilson_Allen
The enormous, ancient and excellently preserved Norman church at Peterchurch, Herefordshire. Next to it is a completely hollow yew tree, of uncertain but extreme age.
The grave of Robert Jones, V.C. Peterchurch churchyard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jones_(VC)
Private 593, Robert Jones, was played by Denys Graham in the Film. Graham also played Private Frazer in the film "Dunkirk" and Flying Officer L.G. Knight, D.S.O. in the film "The Dambusters"
Inside Brecon Cathedral: The regimental chapel is in the North Transept, on the left between the two arches in front.
The amazing font with it's celtic carving, far older than the 12th century cathedral.
Brass plaque in the cathedral in memory of Major Gonville Bromhead, V.C. A mere lieutenant when he commanded B company, 2nd battalion, 24th regiment of foot in the defence of Rorke's Drift. He is buried in India.
Brass plaque in memory of Sergeant Henry Hook V.C. A private when he earned his medal defending the hospital and evacuating the sick from the burning building at Rorke's Drift.
Outside the Regimental Museum: The helmet is the film prop from the film starring Peter O'Toole, Burt Lancaster and John Mills.
The shield and assegai are genuine relics from Rorke's Drift, picked up the morning after the battle, held by the museum.
Some of the actual Victoria Crosses awarded for the defence of Rorke's Drift by Queen Victoria. Top centre is Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, 24th Foot, who is buried in India. (He was of course played by Michael Caine in the film.)
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